Tag: Science Fiction

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When Legends Rise by Daphne Self Review and Giveaway

Babbling Becky L

About the Book

Book: When Legends Rise

Author: Daphne Self

Genre: Science Fiction

Release Date: July 26, 2022

He is now one of them. Genetically altered . . . Designed to kill . . . Trained to eradicate . . . Until he became more. Juliet 7-A was the top elite assassin for the Global Federated Territories until an ambush deemed him beyond salvaging. He was scheduled for decommission. His only recourse for survival is a new identity and his search for the one friend he had―a friend who defected and deserted him. Those he once hunted will save him. Yet it comes with a price. A price that demands much of him. What happens when an assassin awakens?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Daphne Self, formerly published under the name D.M. Webb, resides in Iowa. As a Mississippian transplant, she spends her days in the Midwest state writing, editing, reading, antiquing, and planning adventures. She pursues her dream as an editor and author with one goal in mind: To Glorify His Name. Daphne is also an avid reader who devours book in many genres. As a long time member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and Realm Makers, she volunteers her time helping published and unpublished authors.

More from Daphne

It started as an idea back in the late 90s. It came to fruition in May 2021. The inspiration was this: salvation is free. That began the questions of: what if someone committed horrible acts, what if that person was indoctrinated and changed, what if when faced with the truth how would he react, and finally, what story from the Bible would work for my character? Of course, the story of Saul of Tarsus (Paul) came to mind. Blood was on his hands, yet he found salvation in Christ. And the story of Samson gave a bit of a parallel to my story, too.

I wrote this book before the show Halo was released, yet I had been playing the Halo video game for years. I’ve always enjoyed the backstory of Master Chief, so the main character of When Legends Rise is a bit like Master Chief John-117. Plus, if you have seen The Mandalorian, then you will see a few common themes between my book and that show. There’s also a bit of a Star Trek vibe in that I use “tech” speak and plausible science.

And what began as one book has now evolved into a 5-book series titled Legends of Light. Book two, What Legends Become, releases in June 2024 and follows the family and the continuing story of salvation, persecution, faith, and hope.

My Impressions

“Jules mulled over that word. Free. That was what he had been wanting for so long. To be free.”

Wow!! Buckle yourselves in securely for a very wild ride with Daphne Self’s When Legends Rise. I selected this book because it was billeted as reminiscent of Star Wars and Star Trek. I also found several nods, in my opinion, to the childhood tale of Pinocchio, at least in the first part of the book.

A genetically altered assassin, whose job it is to hunt down and destroy the Christian Coalition in the Galaxy, finds himself about to be decommissioned. Fleeing his former Global Federated Territories squads, he searches for a friend who defected GFT after their last joint engagement. He pilots a cargo interplanetary ship as his cover, while transporting a few humans as he continues his search.

Much of the novel centers around the time on his ship, the Nightingale, with his coder/second-in-command Huey, his med-tech Anya, who supplies him with life-sustaining serum, and an unknown traveler, Abigail du Soleil.

I enjoyed the space details and felt the fear Abby has of being too close to outer space in many situations. The medical details were intriguing as they were revealed. In keeping with the Star Wars theme, there was a lot of space travel and fighting with advanced weaponry. You will definitely be anxious to discover if Jules can indeed break free from who he was created to be. And will he be loyal? To which side? I appreciated the inclusion of Scripture that guided the Christian Coalition and the path of salvation being clearly shown. Self also shows that life doesn’t become automatically easy once one chooses Christ, but there are still hard choices many characters must make, just as in real life.

If I had to describe the book in three words, I would say: riveting, terrifying, emotional. Grab it for yourself as this is the first of five in a sure-to-be sensational series!!

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own ebook. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“…things are always in motion. We live for today and let tomorrow worry for itself. We are not guaranteed safety in this world.”

“…forgiveness is not earned. It’s given.”

“You are okay now. I promised you I would keep you safe, and I meant it.” Her finger reached up and traced his bottom lip. “Some promises cannot be kept.”

My Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Magnificent!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, February 17

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, February 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 19

Artistic Nobody, February 20 (Author Interview)

Madi’s Musings, February 20

Texas Book-aholic, February 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 22

Wishful Endings, February 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, February 24

Exploring the Written Word, February 25

Blogging With Carol, February 26

Pause for Tales, February 27

Guild Master, February 28 (Author Interview)

The Lofty Pages, February 28

Tell Tale Book Reviews, February 29

Fiction Book Lover, March 1 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Daphne is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of the book, bookmarks, character cards, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/29dbb/when-legends-rise-celebration-tour-giveaway

Barbour, BLOG, Favorite, NetGalley

From Sky to Sky, #2 No Less Days by Amanda G. Stevens

Babbling Becky L

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About the Book

Title: From Sky to Sky

Series: No Less Days

Author: Amanda G. Stevens

Publisher: Barbour (Shiloh Run)

Released: February 2020

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Zac Wilson can’t die.

Daredevil Zac Wilson isn’t the first celebrity to keep a secret from the world, but his might be the most marvelous in history: Zac doesn’t age and injuries can’t kill him. What’s more, he’s part of a close-knit group of others just like him.

Holed up in Harbor Vale, Michigan, Zac meets two more of his kind who claim others in their circle have died. Are their lifetimes finally ending naturally, or is someone targeting them—a predator who knows what they are?

The answers Zac unearths present impossible dilemmas: whom to protect, how to seek justice, how to bring peace to turmoil. His next action could fracture forever the family he longs to unite. Now might be the time to ask for help. . . from God Himself. But Zac’s greatest fear is facing the God he has run from for more than a century.

 

My Review

“To Suspect your Own Mortality is to Know the Beginning of Terror; To Learn Irrefutably that you are mortal is to Know the End of Terror.” (Frank Herbert) Unfortunately, a small group of Amanda Steven’s speculative fiction characters has discovered they are not mortal and are beginning to understand that for a curse. They outlive spouses and children by a century. The few longevites, as they call themselves, cannot die, and life has become burdensome. From Sky to Sky is the story of Zac Wilson, acrobat, stuntman and people person who finds that facades are impossible to keep up. He also has been running from God for a long, long time. He needs help. And he has the strong need to help others. Betrayed in book one (No Less Days) by the person whom he was closest to, can Zac get close again to others? 

Sky to Sky 1


While Stevens gives enough backstory, a reader could start with this book, it would be best to read book one first. It sets the tone for this story, plus the reader can understand David and Tiana, whose story was the lion’s share of that novel. I was slow to identify with these characters, but maybe when Zac’s worst weakness shows up, I was hooked. I needed to see if the new characters would be accepted into the original one. Would Zac find God again? David and Tiana exhibit so much patient faith in prayer. I love the way David and Tiana pray so comfortably, succinctly for Zac. When the longevites discover their new friends may have an enemy, by extension, they do, too. How do all these threads fit together? 

Sky to Sky 2


Fortunately, Stevens uses imagery and levity well and in just the right places. I enjoyed listening to the waves lap against the shores of Lake Michigan and feeling the sand beneath my feet with Zac and Simon, Rachel and Cady. By the time the story was ended, I felt like I was a part of the longevite family. There was so much growth in Zac, it was incredible. I can’t wait for the next story to see whose life we get to participate in. Marking this a sleeper favorite. 
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinions, which are solely my own. 

 

My Rating

5 Stars – Hits My Reading Sweet Spot and I can’t wait for more!

 

About the Author

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As a child, Amanda G. Stevens disparaged Mary Poppins and Stuart Little because they could never happen. Now she writes speculative fiction. She is the author of the No Less Days series and the Haven Seekers series, and her debut Seek and Hide was a 2015 INSPY Award finalist. She lives in Michigan and loves trade paperbacks, folk music, the Golden Era of Hollywood, and white cheddar popcorn.